An amendment of the second degree is an amendment to an amendment. It changes the text of a first degree amendment that is already on the floor.
It is used when the house broadly wants the change the first degree amendment proposes, but not in the words it is written in.
This rule changed. Second degree amendments used to be allowed only in the Security Council at MEDIMUN. They are now allowed in every committee. A returning chair or delegate may remember the old rule.
In MEDIMUN, amendments are submitted in MediBook. See Amendments in MediBook.
An amendment of the second degree may only be submitted during time against the first degree amendment.
That is the only window. There is no other point in debate at which one may be raised.
If you are unsure. A delegate who offers a second degree amendment during time in favour has not broken a rule. They are early. Tell them the amendment may be submitted once the house moves to time against.
The procedure is the same as for a first degree amendment. The chair enters closed debate and sets time in favour and time against.
Debate on a second degree amendment does not count against the debate time for the first degree amendment. The clock on the first degree amendment stops while the house deals with the second degree amendment.
Delegates vote in favour, against, or abstain.
Abstentions are in order on a second degree amendment. This is different from a first degree amendment, where delegates vote in favour or against only.
A tied vote fails.
If the second degree amendment passes, the first degree amendment passes automatically. The two are then counted as one. There is no separate vote on the first degree amendment.
If the second degree amendment fails, debate on the first degree amendment resumes where it stopped.
If a delegate dislikes the whole first degree amendment. The house does not get a second chance to reject it after a second degree amendment has passed. There are two moments to act. They speak against it while that debate is still running. Or they vote against the second degree amendment.
A third degree amendment is out of order. That is true in the Security Council as well.
The house votes on the second degree amendment as it stands.
If you are unsure. A delegate who wants to change a second degree amendment has one route left. Vote it down, and let the house return to the first degree amendment.